WIDE ANGLE WEDNESDAY

As we had stayed in all day yesterday, Mr. HCB suggested we go out for a coffee this morning to our Old Town Café, Jack’s, which we duly did.  We had some good conversations with several people we didn’t know and especially with a couple at the next table, mainly about gardening.  We also discussed the new ideas our Council traffic planners have for doing away with the present three traffic light controlled crossings in Old Town and replacing them with more “free-flowing shared space” crossings - or “take your life in your hands every time you cross” crossings.  

We all thought it was a stupid idea, but an article in the local paper encouraged us to contribute to the consultation before it comes to an end on 22nd March - so we don’t have long to get our “thinking caps” on and point out how dangerous these crossings will be - although we understand it is to provide a “new bus corridor into the town centre” - so it sounds as if those of us who are retired will be “dicing with death” on the busy roads daily, whilst those going to work will get there in a reduced time.  

After our discussions, we went to a local park, The Town Gardens, where we had more lovely conversations with two of the young gardeners, who were doing a great job in the rose garden.  When we told them that, they said that not many people complimented them, so they were very grateful.  We could hear and see lots of birds, including robins, blue tits and woodpeckers, and it was good to see mothers out with their children pointing out the birds to them.  One mother had come well prepared with binoculars, but said they hadn’t seen the woodpecker today, although they did see it most days.   

I took this wide angle photograph at the play park just outside The Town Gardens, where lots of children were enjoying the zip wire, swings and climbing frame.

Such a beautiful Spring day and it felt good to be alive.  Mr. HCB is going out into the garden this afternoon and I am going into the library to research some more family history and to try and find out about my elusive grandmother.

"Spring shows
     what God can do
          with a drab and dirty world."
Virgil Kraft


P.S.  Thank you for all your stars, hearts and encouraging comments especially for my daisy yesterday - they all gave me such a lift! x